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Chester Fashion

Stately start for Chester Fashion fortnight

Aiming to be a sure bet on last year"s success, fashion, fame and fortune will feature at the forefront of this year"s Chester Fashion Fortnight. The 2008 event, a firm favourite in the City"s calendar, promises to be the biggest yet with events right across the city during this fabulous fortnight of Fashion.

In its third year, the fortnight now spans from 13th to the 27th September and coincides with London"s Fashion Week, which Chester will complement with equally prestigious events and some famous faces. Chester"s retailers and designers are working together to showcase the best of Chester fashion.

Amongst the big names invited to appear at Chester"s fashion event is the new face of Revlon, Elle Macpherson, and Vice Chair of the British Fashion Council and highly acclaimed British model Erin O"Connor. One of the faces of Marks and Spencer since 2005, Erin is a regular columnist for the London Fashion Week Paper “The Daily Rubbish”.

The fortnight will also highlight the work of Chester"s future designers with competitions and presentations. Well-known chains showing their support will be Browns of Chester, along with their team from the Revlon counter and the Vivienne Westwood store in Liverpool.

The third “Face of Chester” competition returns too on 17th September, with a year"s modelling contract with Boss Model Management who are supplying models for events. Both models selected last years have gone on to glittering international careers, taking Chester to the world as they jet set across the globe.

Stephen Wundke, Chester City Coordinator, said:
“700 years ago Chester created the one and only two-tier Rows, creating the first indoor shopping experience. Lady Hamilton learned her fashion skills here with her first wages before meeting Lord Nelson.
It is fantastic that the people of Chester can enjoy the latest catwalk chic coupled with the profusion of participating small boutiques and high street stores in the city at this year”s Chester Fashion fortnight.
Chester and Cheshire are fast becoming the ‘must see’ destination in the UK and Chester Fashion Week forms an important part of making Chester a city of Festivals, where there is something for visitors to our great city to see all-year-round."

Chester’s Fashion 2008 forms and important part of Chester Festivals and is organised on behalf of Chester City Management and CHARISMA, with support from Visit Chester & Cheshire, Creative Industries Support Project (CRISP), The Grosvenor Shopping Centre, The Forum Shopping Centre, HSBC, Marketing Projects PR and Chester Festivals.

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PHOTOS (300dpi plus), PRESS OFFICE & REGULAR UPDATES at
http://www.marketingprojects.co.uk/clientpo/chester-fashion-2008 last year"s photos & highlights http://www.marketingprojects.co.uk/clientpo/chester-fashion-2007

Chester Fashion Fortnight 2008 main events:

- Sat. 13th September – Chester Retail Offers Start – over 50 special Fashion offers will be available throughout this fortnight.

- Wed. 17th September – The Face of Chester @ The MacDonald New Blossoms Hotel, St John Street, Chester CH1 1HL, 7:30pm. Tickets £15. The search has already begun. Boss Model Management judge the evening where 20 finalists model clothes from Chester fashion retailers. The professionals then award one female and one male The Face of Chester 2008. The winners receive a one year contract with Boss and their very own haircut, makeover and photo shoot to create their own portfolio worth £300! Young Photographer of the Year is also awarded.

- Sat. 13th September – Chester Retail Offers Start – over 50 special fashion offers will be available throughout this fortnight.

- Thurs. 18th September – Two Woman Fashion Show @ Forum Shopping Centre, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm.

- Thurs. 18th September – Fashion Show @ Eaton Hall, Eccleston, 7pm. Tickets £25. Includes a champagne reception and canapes.

- Fri. 19th September – Two Woman Fashion Show @ Forum Shopping Centre, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm.

- Sat. 20th September – Fashion for All. Chester Fashion delivers fashion to the streets of Chester! 11.00am, 1.00pm and 3.00pm.
Featuring the retailers that make this city and showing the very best we have on offer. Many different ranges to suit all ages and personalities, this will create an exhilarating atmosphere on the streets of Chester.

- Sun. 21st September – Fashion for All. Chester Fashion delivers fashion to the streets of Chester! 11.00am, 1.00pm and 3.00pm.
Featuring the retailers that make this city and showing the very best we have on offer. Many different ranges to suit all ages and personalities, this will create an exhilarating atmosphere on the streets of Chester.

- Tue. 23rd September – Young Designer of the Year @ Cruise Nightclub, 7:30pm. Ticket £10 includes canapés and wine reception. The battle is on between Mid Cheshire and West Cheshire Colleges to find the Young Designer of the Year.

- Thurs. 25th September – Perfect Pins @ Castle Galleries, 6 – 8pm. Sponsor: Cruise Handbags, Upper Bridge Street, Chester.
Professional artist Simon Claridge is to paint a live model in the Cruise Handbags store whilst you watch! The unveiling of the finished painting is to take place at the Castle Gallery where guests can enjoy a champagne, canapé reception and fashion show.

- Sat. 27th September – Grosvenor Shopping Centre Fashion Show
Three shows featuring labels from the Centre. Each will demonstrate how to wear the chosen garments and display inspirational ideas to accessorise them.

This is only a snapshot of key events – more information available.
London Fashion Week was established in 1993 and runs from September 14 to 19, 2008.
For more information on Chester Fashion Fortnight please visit: www.visitchester.com/festivals

Press Contacts: Jane Harrad-Roberts Mob: 07785 395705
Phil Brotherhood Mob: 07884 493370
MARKETING PROJECTS Tel: 01244 330000
Email: info@marketingprojects.co.uk

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